The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the recent attacks by police on journalists in Bangladesh. The IFJ has called upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all journalists working in Bangladesh and to launch a full and thorough investigation into the attacks.
The IFJ has protested to the government of Bangladesh in the following letter:
10 June 2004
The Hon Begum Khaleda Zia
Prime Minister
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
VIA FACSIMILE: 0015 880 2 881 0407
Dear Prime Minister,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the recent attacks on journalists by Bangladeshi police.
According to our information, police attacked several journalists on three separate occasions while covering strike action in Dhaka and Jessore.
On Friday 4 June, four photojournalists, Mamun Abedin of Bhorer Kagoj; Abu Taher Khokon of New Age; Ali Hossain Mintu of Dainik Janata; and Akhter Hossain of News Today were injured in an attack by police as they covered a protest march in Dhaka.
We understand that the following day, June 5, M. A. Manik, was beaten by police while covering a strike in the town of Jessore. Manik is a photographer working for the local Bengali-language Grammer Kagoj. Five more journalists were injured when police attacked march organised by the local press club to protest the earlier attack.
The IFJ calls on the Bangladeshi Government to mount a full investigation into the attacks and to ensure that the officers involved in the attacks are punished. We also urge the Government to send a clear directive to the police force - and society at large - that violence against journalists is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Journalists must be allowed to fulfil their journalistic duty, free from fear of arrest or physical violence.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President, IFJ
Recommended action:
Send appeals:
Appeals
The Hon Begum Khaleda Zia
Prime Minister
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
VIA FACSIMILE: 0015 880 2 881 0407
Please copy appeals to the IFJ Asia Office at [email protected]
For further information please contact IFJ Asia at [email protected]